Description
This Carrot Poke Cake is a delightful twist on the classic carrot cake, with a moist and flavorful sponge filled with grated carrots, pineapple, and warm spices. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, every bite is a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely grated carrots
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Topping:
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
- Add mix-ins: Fold in grated carrots, pineapple, and walnuts if using. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.
- Poke and soak: Remove the cake from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Poke holes all over the cake with a wooden spoon handle and pour sweetened condensed milk over the warm cake.
- Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream, beat until light and fluffy.
- Frost the cake: Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- This cake can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge.
- For added flavor, top with toasted coconut or extra chopped walnuts.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
